Posts in Fashion & Style
Over 50 Brands Similar to Free People to Gratify Your Inner Bohemian Goddess

The bohemian inspired fashion brand Free People has a very loyal following amongst women who gravitate towards a free spirited lifestyle. From long flowy maxi gowns to short mini dresses with statement sleeves, there’s a Free People ensemble for every occasion in life.

When I think about my boho-inspired wardrobe pieces hanging in my closet, they tend to be for the fun times in life. I wear them for vacations, home playing with my kids, special events like weddings and even just lounging at home. They are a departure from the stuffy office life which makes them extra fun to shop for.

I actually wore flowy maxi dresses from Free People (and Free People inspired brands) for the majority of the time when I was pregnant with my two kids. They were the only things that made me feel beautiful and comfortable at the same time. You can see my guide to baby bump friendly boho dresses here.

While Free People is shinning in the spotlight and stealing all the glory, there’s actually many other similar brands to Free People that do an equally as impressive job of creating whimsical bohemian wardrobe essentials that I promise you’ll love just as much.

In this blog post I will give you a wide spectrum of boho clothing brands that range from upscale designers to budget-friendly options. When shopping from top of the line brands, you can spend a bit more in high quality wardrobe investment pieces that you’ll wear year-after-year. If there’s a boho style trend that you’re wanting to test run before making a big commitment, opt for an economical low-cost alternative before spending a bit more on a single clothing item.

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What Can You Do with a Fashion Merchandising Degree? - A Fashion Student's Roadmap to a Career in the Industry

My interest in fashion began at an early age and I knew that I wanted to somehow work in the industry. Figuring out exactly how to get there took a few years of paying my dues, plus some trial and error.

While there’s no one path to a successful career in the fashion industry, there’s definitely many common threads that up and comers will experience. And quite frankly, I think anyone interested in this field should learn early on the significant obstacles to gaining traction in this extremely competitive field.

In this guide to entering the fashion industry workforce, I will go into details about school coursework, fashion internships, entry-level fashion jobs to gain experience, and more helpful insider information.

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What to Wear After Giving Birth in the Hospital

At this point I’ve been through pregnancy and postpartum twice with my two babies. And while each time was different and had its own challenges, there definitely were some similarities that most women experience.

Getting dressed both when pregnant and in the postpartum months can quite honestly be frustrating. You’re dealing with weight gain, bloating, aches and pains, heavy bleeding and nursing. There’s a lot going on!

I highly recommend building a capsule wardrobe that can accommodate all these needs and make you feel comfortable. During the postpartum phase you’ll pretty much do anything to make yourself feel a little better and cute clothes can do the trick!

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Where to Buy Traditional Mexican Dresses Online

For Halloween we decided to choose a family costume that honored both my husband’s and daughter’s Mexican family heritage - Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Scout was baby Frida.

I was really excited about dressing up in traditional Mexican dresses because the garments are so bright and colorful. They feel so festive and really embody the carefree spirit of feminist hero Frida Kahlo.

In this blog post you’ll find the top places online to purchase authentic traditional Mexican dresses online. These websites purchase directly from the artisans and support those communities.

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Non-Maternity Dresses to Wear During and After Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant getting dressed can be a daily challenge. Your body is growing and changing every few weeks, and you’re probably feeling pretty uncomfortable as well. Maternity clothes can be pretty expensive and you may not want to spend a bundle on maternity pieces you’re only planning to wear for 9 months.

Most of the dress styles in this blog post you can wear throughout pregnancy, during postpartum, and even into your new years of motherhood. The cuts are very forgiving around the waist and hips, giving you plenty of room for your baby bump.

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Take Your Diamond Ring for a Spin Before You Commit: With Clarity's Home Preview Service

Buying your engagement ring is one of the most significant purchases you’ll make in your life, both financially and emotionally. This token of your commitment will become a daily fixture in your life, so it’s really worth your time to invest in the diamond and setting you truly want.

With Clarity is one of the fastest growing online engagement ring companies, and much of that boom is credited to their awesome β€œtry on your ring at home” service.

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Fall Style Guide for Modern Plaid Shirts

Every year I anxiously await the autumn season so I can bust out my favorite plaid shirts. They’re everything a gal needs - flattering, soft, comfortable and versatile. Pretty much fashion magic! There’s all kinds of plaid prints and color combos, making it way to easy to end up with a closet full of plaid.

Finding the shirt with the best fit for your body is important, especially since you know you’re going to be living in it all of fall. The plaid shirts I’ve selected in the below shopping guide have that modern cut and fit we’re looking for.

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The Thrifted Fall Capsule Collection - Top Brands and Wardrobe Essentials to Buy Second Hand

Fall is a popular season and social media has been buzzing with anticipation waiting for crisp cool air, pumpkin spice and chunky sweaters. There are about one million reasons to love autumn, and on the top of my list is the fashion. Fall brings about a whole slew of style options, and with layering being so important, the outfit style options are endless!

Thrifting has always been the way I find my favorite wardrobe pieces. I don't have a massive budget to pay full retail prices, plus I enjoy the hunt for the gems! Shopping thrift I get way more items for the same amount of $$.

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The Postpartum Wardrobe Shopping Guide

Getting dressed after having a baby is a new kind of experience. Your big prego bump is gone but your body isn't the quite the same as it was before. You secretly hope that your pre-pregnancy clothes will still fit, but in my case they certainly did not. My daughter was born on May 25th and I am currently 7 weeks postpartum. Not only am I carrying some extra weight, but the shape of my hips and waist have changed. Needless to say, it was time to hit the mall and do some shopping. 

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Everything You Need to Know About Donating Your Hair for Cancer Patients

I had a friend who always grew her hair out long to donate to cancer patients. I decided to follow in her footsteps and do the same myself. If you’re considering donating your hair, there are many great reasons why you should – plus some important things to keep in mind before making the decision to cut it all off.

This blog post will cover all of the questions you might have about donating your hair and help you figure out if this really is the right thing for you to do. I documented my own hair donation and compiled of all the research I did during the process. Also, see my list of answers to the frequently asked questions for those also planning on donating their hair. At the bottom I also have all the organizations listed who are currently accepting hair donations.

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7 Thrifting Myths Debunked - A Beginner’s Guide to Thrift Shopping

At the start of the new year we jetted off to New York City to visit friends and enjoy some Big Apple adventures. My husband had always wanted to visit Columbia University's campus so I decided to do a modern take on the classic collegiate style. 

As always, my entire out is thrifted (except for the boots and handbag). I was super excited to style my shaggy faux fur vest which my husband has dubbed the "rug vest" (some men just don't understand fashion!). This vest and hat were both thrifted steals too.

When I attend fashion and blogger events we all love to chat about our outfits, and people are often surprised when I tell them my outfit is thrifted. Every once in a while I will come across someone who has a negative impression of buying second hand clothing. I love to take the opportunity to tell them about my experiences and educate folks on the benefits of thrifting, and hopefully convert them!

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How to Wear Sequins Casually and Styled for the Daytime

Oh Soho, you are always so lovely! Whenever I'm in New York City I have to make a trip to this popular shopping district. All the famous fashion designers have their latest and greatest on display at their Soho stores. The unmistakable architecture of the buildings and the historic cobblestone streets make this part of the city so memorable. We had a lovely time walking through Prince and Spring Street, and my boyfriend even picked up a little Armani for himself!

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All the Ways You Can Get Tickets to NYFW + Fashion Week Volunteer Opportunities!

There is a strong connection and mutual reliance between fashion bloggers and Fashion Week. Fashion bloggers love to attend the Fashion Week runway shows to get a sneak peek at upcoming fashion trends and of course to be there for the fabulous fashion moments. Fashion Week depends on bloggers to promote their events and keep the public intrigued and engaged with the allure of the fashion industry. If you’re a fashion blogger, attending and getting involved in Fashion Week can be a great source for content, exposure and networking. Win win for everyone!

Getting tickets to major fashion events like New York Fashion Week is no small task. These are highly coveted spots and there’s very limited quantities available. In this guide I will break down all the details on how the fashion industry works and reveal the hidden insider ways you can score tickets to major fashion events such as NYFW.

Also, I go into details about how volunteering to work at a major city Fashion Week can be your key to gaining valuable real-world fashion industry experience that can help you get connected and/or land a job in the fashion industry.

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